Adipose Inositol Monophosphate Metabolism Is Associated With Fasting Regimen-Elicited Metabolic Benefits

Intermittent fasting (IF) has been shown to induce significant metabolic adaptations in white adipose tissue (WAT), particularly through the inositol monophosphate pathway. In a study using mass spectrometry, researchers observed a marked increase in inositol monophosphates, specifically myo-inositol-1-phosphate and myo-inositol-3-phosphate, in the gonadal WAT of diet-induced obese mice after 15 cycles of IF. This increase was accompanied by upregulation of enzymes ITPK1 and IMPA1, reductions in body weight and fat mass, and improved insulin sensitivity. The findings suggest that the inositol monophosphate pathway plays a crucial role in fasting-induced metabolic adaptation and could serve as a biomarker for obesity and metabolic disorders.